Science General · Geography

Astronomy and Celestial Phenomena

1,839 Questions

This section provides practice questions on astronomy and celestial phenomena, focusing on eclipses, planetary movements, and tides. These concepts are commonly tested in general science sections of various competitive exams. Use this hub to practice questions related to the Earth, Moon, and solar system dynamics.

Solar and lunar eclipsesEquinoxes and solsticesPlanetary movementsOcean tidesCoriolis effectMeteor showers

Astronomy and Celestial Phenomena Questions

Multiple choice

The practice of advancing the clocks in spring and readjusting them in autumn is called ____.

  1. summer solistice

  2. daylight saving

  3. winter time set

  4. winter solistice
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Daylight saving time (DST) is the practice of advancing clocks by one hour during warmer months (spring) and readjusting them back in autumn. This is done to make better use of natural daylight and conserve energy. The terms 'solstice' refer to astronomical events, not clock adjustments.

Multiple choice

If candle is to artificial source of light , than moon is to _______.

  1. opaque object

  2. luminous object

  3. natural source of light

  4. satellite
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Sun, stars and fireflies are the examples of natural sources of light and also are the luminous objects. Moon   is also a natural source of light through it is non-luminous. Electric bulb, torch streetlight and candle are not natural object as they are being industrially prepared but as they emit their own light so are known as artificial source of light. So moon is a natural source of light.

Multiple choice

The distance between the Earth and the Sun is greatest during

  1. winter solistice

  2. perihelion

  3. aphelion

  4. summer solistice
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Aphelion is the point in Earth's orbit where it is farthest from the Sun, occurring around July 4 each year. At aphelion, Earth is about 152 million kilometers from the Sun. Perihelion (closest approach) occurs in early January.

Multiple choice

Tides are the highest

  1. when the earth is nearest to the sun

  2. when the earth is nearest to the moon

  3. in the spring

  4. when the sun, the moon and the earth are in line
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is/are false regarding the only natural satellite of Earth?

(a) It is our nearest neighbour in the Universe. (b) There are craters and mountains on the moon. (c) There is atmosphere on the moon like Earth. (d) Moon appears similar every day.

  1. Only a and b

  2. Only b

  3. Only a and c

  4. Only c and d

  5. Only b and d
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Yes, it is the correct answer. Both the statements are false. There is no atmosphere on the moon. The moon does not appear similar every day.

Multiple choice

Why are the stars not visible during day time?

  1. They go deep inside

  2. The sunlight is so bright during the day that we are unable to see the stars

  3. The colour of stars fades away

  4. They travel to the place where it is night

  5. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Yes, it is the correct answer. The stars are not visible during the day because the sunlight is too bright during the day that we are unable to see the stars. 

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is/are true?

a) The waxing phase of the moon is followed by the waning phase. b) The waning phase of the moon is followed by the waxing phase. c) The waxing phase of the moon and the waning phase of the moon go simultaneous to each other. d) During waning phase, the full moon reduces in size. e) During waxing phase, the size of moon increases.

  1. Only a and d

  2. Only b and e

  3. Only c

  4. Only a and e

  5. Only b and d
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Yes, both the sentences are true. Hence, it is the correct answer. The waxing phase of the moon is followed by the waning phase. 

Multiple choice

The light from the sun reaches us in approximately

  1. 6 minutes

  2. 15 minutes

  3. 8 minutes

  4. 3 minutes
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Sunlight takes approximately 8 minutes and 20 seconds to reach Earth, traveling at 299,792 km/s across about 150 million km. This is a fundamental fact about Earth's position in the solar system.